Legal tampering — or the “negotiation period” as the NFL calls it — is officially here.
From now through the start of the new league year at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, teams are allowed to negotiate with representatives of free agents and work out new contracts.
Of course, a bunch of big deals already happened over the weekend, but plenty more are to come.
Here’s a recap of an eventful Sunday and Monday so far:
Then on Monday, the Panthers made Jaycee Horn the new highest-paid defensive back in NFL history with a four-year, $100 million extension, while the Chargers are bringing Khalil Mack back on a one-year, $18 million deal.
Plus: Guard Trey Smith reportedly signed his $23.4 million franchise tag with the Kansas City Chiefs and will now look to negotiate a longer-term deal. Linebacker Harold Landry reportedly agreed to a three-year, $45 million deal with the New England Patriots. Linebacker Ernest Jones IV reportedly agreed to a three-year, $33 million extension with the Seattle Seahawks with $15 million guaranteed. Left tackle Jake Matthews reportedly agreed to a two-year, $45 million extension to stay with the Atlanta Falcons.
Stay updated with all the latest news and analysis right here.
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Happy legal tampering!
Or the “negotiation period” as the NFL formally likes to call it.
Either way, free agents are now able to negotiate with teams and work out contracts. Even though we’ve already seen a flurry of big moves over the weekend, plenty more are still out there.
How do you think your team will do?
Cardinals re-sign G Evan Brown to a two-year, $11.5 million deal
The Arizona Cardinals are re-signing guard Evan Brown to a two-year deal worth $11.5 million after joining the team last season, per multiple reports. Since joining the league in 2018, Brown has bounced between several teams, but has seemingly found a home in Arizona.
LB Khalil Mack returning to Chargers on one-year deal
Mack, 34, is re-signing with the Los Angeles Chargers on a one-year, $18 million deal, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
After beginning his career with the Raiders and Bears, Mack joined the Chargers in 2022. He’s a four-time First-team All-Pro, nine-time Pro Bowler and the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2016.
Steelers tender RB Jaylen Warren
Warren, 26, is entering his fourth NFL season with the Steelers. He rushed for 511 yards and one touchdown, while catched 38 passes for 310 yards in 2024.
Panthers, CB Jaycee Horn reach 4-year, $100 million extension
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, cornerback Jaycee Horn has agreed to a four-year, $100 million extension with the Carolina Panthers. The deal could reach $108 million and makes the 25-year-old the highest-paid defensive back in league history.
Horn was the eighth overall pick by the Panthers in 2021 and was named to the Pro Bowl in 2024.
Falcons releasing DT Grady Jarrett
DT Grady Jarrett is set to his the NFL free agent market this week after being released by the Atlanta Falcons.
Jarrett, 31, was a fifth-round pick out of Clemson in 2015. He has played all 10 of his NFL seasons in Atlanta and was a Second-team All-Pro in 2019, two-time Pro Bowler and a 2024 Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee.
Aaron Rodgers emerges as contender in Steelers’ QB search
While the Pittsburgh Steelers continue talks with both Russell Wilson and Justin Fields, Aaron Rodgers has reportedly emerged as an option, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Steelers continue talking to Justin Fields and Russell Wilson, but…Aaron Rodgers has emerged as a quarterback option in Pittsburgh, per league sources.
Rodgers and the Steelers are expected to talk and explore a union. The idea of Rodgers playing for Mike Tomlin is in play. pic.twitter.com/xxv0cbxDff
Sheldon Rankins is returning to the Houston Texans after one season in Cincinnati. Rankins has reportedly agreed to a one-year, $7 million to join the Texans where he spent the 2023 season, according to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini.
Rankins signed a two-year deal to join the Bengals last March. He missed 10 games during the 2024 season due to a hamstring injury and illness.
Patriots trading DT Davon Godchaux to Saints
The New Orleans Saints are acquiring DT Davon Godchaux from the New England Patriots for a seventh-round draft pick, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Godchaux reportedly wanted to move on from New England and the trade will cause the Patriots a $6 million dead cap hit and free up $1.6 million in cap savings.
The 30-year-old Godchaux had 67 total tackles last season in 17 games with the Patriots.
Broncos eyeing deal with DT D.J. Jones
The Broncos are close to retaining defensive lineman D.J. Jones. Specifics of that deal are not yet known, though ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that it will be close to $13 million per year.
Jones had 42 total tackles last season, his third with the Broncos. He’d be a great get for their defensive front next season as they look to build off of their first playoff appearance in nearly a decade.
Commanders, TE John Bates reportedly agree to 3-year deal
The Commanders and backup tight end John Bates have agreed on a three-year contract, NFL Network reports.
Terms of the deal were not reported. Bates joins starting tight end Zach Ertz in reaching a deal this offseason to return to a Commanders team that advanced to the NFC championship game last season behind Rookie of the Year quarterback Jayden Daniels.
A block-first tight end, Bates tallied eight catches for 84 yards last season.
The #Commanders have agreed to terms with TE John Bates on a three-year deal, sources say.
A terrific blocker who has added 61 catches for 592 yards in four seasons in Washington, Bates returns alongside TE Zach Ertz, who re-upped with the team over the weekend. pic.twitter.com/qJbePugyES
Raiders, DT Adam Butler reportedly agree to $16.5M deal
The Raiders and defensive tackle Adam Butler have agreed to a three-year, $16.5 million deal, NFL Network reports.
Butler, 30, tallied five sacks, 10 quarterback hits, 65 tackles and eight tackles for loss in 17 games last season. His 16 starts were more than his 13 combined in six previous NFL seasons.
Chiefs G Trey Smith reportedly signs $23.4M franchise tag
Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith has signed his franchise tag, NFL Network reports.
Smith’s signature ensures that he will remain with the Chiefs in 2025 and perhaps beyond. The two sides still have the option to work out a long-term deal. If they don’t, Smith will be the highest-paid guard in football next season with a $23.4 million salary.
Source: #Chiefs G Trey Smith has signed his franchise tag, locking in $23.4M on a 1-year, fully guaranteed deal and officially making him the NFL’s highest-paid guard. KC would like to work out a long-term deal. https://t.co/5ukA9UotTj
The Atlanta Falcons and left tackle Jake Matthews have agreed to a two-year, $45 million contract extension, NFL Network reports. The deal includes $38 million in guaranteed money, according to the report.
Matthews, 33, is a former Pro Bowler who’s played his entire 11-season career with the Falcons.
Packers reportedly never made an offer for DK Metcalf before Steelers trade
Green Bay was linked heavily to the Seahawks in a potential trade for DK Metcalf, but was there actually any semblance of traction there?
I’m told the Packers never made an offer to the Seahawks for DK Metcalf, contrary to multiple reports. Brian Gutekunst and John Schneider are good friends from their time together in Green Bay, but a deal between the two for Metcalf was never a realistic possibility.
It’s a little after 8 p.m. on the east coast, and so much has happened across the league. Talk about a chaotic Sunday…
It’s been a busy day and free agency hasn’t even officially started yet 😳
– 11:51 AM (ET): Myles Garrett agrees to an extension with the Browns – 2:24 PM: Nick Bolton re-signs with the Chiefs – 4:49 PM: Aaron Jones re-signs with the Vikings – 6:37 PM: Ernest Jones IV re-signs…
DK Metcalf is on the move. The Pittsburgh Steelers struck a deal with the Seattle Seahawks to land Metcalf on Sunday afternoon. Metcalf will then sign a five-year, $150 million deal with the team, according to the NFL Network.
Metcalf requested a trade out of Seattle this offseason. The team selected him in the second round of the 2019 draft, and he’s spent his entire career there. He had 992 yards and five touchdowns last season, and came just shy of completing what would’ve been his third straight 1,000-yard campaign.
For more on the trade, click here.
Josh Allen signs new deal with Bills with largest guarantee in NFL history
The Buffalo Bills and MVP quarterback Josh Allen have agreed to a six-year contract extension that runs through the 2030 season.
The Bills announced the deal. Per multiple reports, the contract is valued at $330 million and includes a $250 million guarantee, the largest in NFL history. Allen and Buffalo agreed to the deal on Sunday despite his previous contract having four years remaining. Allen will sign the lucrative contract just weeks after being named NFL MVP for the first time.
For more, read here.
Broncos keep QB Jarrett Stidham
The Broncos are keeping backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham around for another season. Stidham, who will enter his sixth season in the league, helped back up rookie Bo Nix last season as they made the playoffs for the first time in nearly a decade.
Austin Hooper back with the Pats
The Patriots are also bringing back Austin Hooper on a one-year, $5 million deal, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The tight end had 476 yards (his best output since the 2019 campaign) and three touchdowns last season in New England.
